Publisher's Corner 

As some of you know, I shot my first wedding on June 18.  I apparently survived it --  because I'm looking around, and I don't see a ghost writer doing the newsletter, and it sure feels as though my fingers are hitting the keyboard right now!  What an experience that was for me on many different levels. I learned so much, and the very first thing I did the morning after the wedding was type up my thoughts.  I wanted to share some of those thoughts with everybody.  Who knows?  You may find yourself shooting your very own first wedding someday soon.  Okay... I can "see" it now.  There's a bunch of you out there shaking your heads emphatically, saying "I don't want to shoot weddings -- EVER."  Oh yeah.  I know.  I've been there.  I've said that myself so many times it's not even funny. 

So, how did I find myself shooting a wedding on June 18?  A friend at work approached me about shooting her young daughter's wedding, and I just couldn't resist the challenge.  Besides, I figured it would look good in my portfolio.  It was going to be outside (hey ... natural, available light -- that was beginning to sound like something I could handle).  It was going to be a small wedding party (bride, groom, maid of honor, and best man).  I was nervous at first just thinking about it, but there was also a part of me that just KNEW I could do it. 

It had to have been the hottest, most humid day I can recall in a long, long time, and the wedding was outside.  Ugh.  If it weren't for the fact that I was getting paid to do a job, I would never have been outside for that length of time in those conditions.  But, the reality was that regardless of the fact that my hair was soaking wet for literally seven hours, I was so into what I was doing that I didn't even care. 

Time stood still, I was thoroughly and totally immersed in what I was doing, and I was enjoying every last minute of it (uh oh -- I think I am in deep trouble here). 

I had another photo shoot today that will be published in the "Rising Stars" edition of the Super Lawyer publication.  I was talking with one of the attorneys I was working with before the other attorney showed up, and he was asking questions about my photography.  In my answers, I found myself mentioning that I loved every aspect of my photography, and that it was my true passion.  He responded by saying that I was very lucky to have found my passion.  Indeed, I am!  And, I am even luckier that I am given the opportunities to indulge in my passion.  Indeed!  Indeed! 

June Meeting Visitors and New Members

Our June meeting was lower than normal in attendance, but it's summer and people are vacationing, so that is to be expected.  We did, however, still have some visitors with us and also are pleased to have some new members to announce. 

Our visitors included Vincent Dale from Douglasville.  Happy to have you with us, Vincent.  We hope to see you again soon. 

Our July meeting will be held on Thursday, July 12 at St. Julian's Episcopal Church in Douglasville beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Our very own member, Greg Knobloch, will be our speaker and will be giving a presentation on "A Day in the Life" of a CDC photographer.  This should prove to be a very interesting presentation on what is involved in being a photographer on a day-to-day basis for the Centers for Disease Control.  We're looking forward to this, Greg! 

Our contest topic will be "Abstract."  Use your imagination and get those abstract shots.  The real fun will be in having our members guess what the images are -- should be interesting!  So, get out and get shooting.  July 12 will be here very soon.  The more the merrier for this one especially. 

Remembrances

Please remember to keep Carolyn Tumlin in your prayers for a speedy recovery following her surgery on June 28.  Also remember that she is not allowed to have any visitors while she is in the hospital.  Carolyn knows that we are thinking of her. 

Happy Birthday to You 

We wish to extend very happy birthday wishes to the following members, whose birthdays are in July.  Hope you have wonderful days.  To help me keep my records accurate, if I've missed a July birthday, please let me know. 

• July 1:  Lawrence Surber
• July 6:  Kimberly Howell
• July 7:  Brion Wallace

Tips and Tricks

The tips and tricks section this month also comes from my wedding experience.  As I mentioned earlier, the first thing I did the day after the wedding was type up my thoughts about the wedding shoot, and I would like to share those thoughts with you. Now, as a first-time wedding shooter who is far from a pro, I could have totally missed the mark with my initial after-the-wedding thoughts, but these were my thoughts nonetheless.

Weddings Are:

Weddings are crazy.  Something (or things) always happen that throw everything off schedule.

Weddings are busier than I ever imagined.  The time flew by, and before I knew it, it was much later than I would have believed.

Weddings are super fun to cover.  I had an absolute blast, and didn't have time to be nervous.

Weddings are also brutal to cover -- especially outside in the summer.  A day off afterwards for a little down time would be a good thing.  For me, it was a necessity. 

Weddings are FANTASTIC exercise.  I was sore the next day in spots that haven't been sore in years!

Weddings are IMPOSSIBLE to cover on your own.  One person just can't be everywhere and cover everything.  Thankfully, I had two shadow photographers who were there to gain experience, and they did a great job! 

Things You Shouldn't Do When Covering a Wedding:

Do not attempt to shoot a wedding by yourself.  An assistant is a nice thing.  An additional photographer is an even greater thing.

Never, ever let the bride/groom, family, wedding party, etc. leave the scene of the ceremony before the formal shots are finished -- no matter how hot it is.  If you have to, have somebody bring water for everybody.  This holds especially true when the ceremony location is right next to the reception location with very little separation between the two.  You will never get them all back at the same time to get the formal shots done.

Things You Should Do When Covering a Wedding:

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make use of a shoot list when doing the formal images.  Things get out of control and fall into utter pandemonium without a shoot list to keep up with what shots need to be set up next.  It becomes very difficult without a shoot list to keep things flowing and to remember which shots were taken already.   

Never price your services too low.  A wedding is a tremendous amount of work (you can't imagine until you do one), and that's before any post processing and album creation (if you choose to create albums).     

Before the ceremony, have a set coverage time period and stick to it (within reason).  You are moving so fast that your sense of time totally escapes you.

Break up the coverage of the wedding between photographers.  Give each photographer certain portions of the wedding for which they are responsible.  There's too much for one person to handle easily and if there is more than one photographer trying to grab formal shots (especially), the people tend to get confused as to which photographer is the one they should be looking at (even if you tell them photographer A will shoot first; followed by photographer B).  

Organization is key.  Weddings, by their very nature, throw unexpected things at you at a very rapid pace.  If you are organized, it makes it so much easier to handle.  A wedding is not the time or place to swap around which pocket in your bag holds what equipment. 

Dress appropriately but comfortably for the occasion.  Ensure that the shoes you wear are not those that will give you blisters (ouch). 

If you have the luxury of getting up front and personal with the bride and groom during the ceremony (and picture taking is allowed during the ceremony), remember that you are probably obstructing the view of guests.  Get your shots and clear the way for others to see and take their own pictures.  It is a fine line, though, as you have, after all, been hired to get the wedding images for the bride and groom.  Just try to do so in a manner that doesn't get in the way too much of others.

Things That Would Be a Great Aid When Shooting a Wedding:

Have a schedule for both the ceremony and the reception.  It sure makes it easier, and your chances of catching that great image of a special moment are greatly increased if you know exactly what to expect when. If there is a ceremony rehearsal, it would be fantastic if you could attend.

Scope out the venues before the actual event, preferably at the same time of day as the wedding/reception will take place.  It would be very helpful to bring along a model with whom to do some test shots to check out angles, lenses, etc. to get a feel for what will work best where and when. 

Place your business cards (with the approval of the bride and groom, of course) in a location where guests can pick them up at will.

If you are posting the final images online, have a sheet of paper passed out early in the reception for guests who are interested in viewing the images to fill in their names and e-mail addresses so you can notify them when the images are ready.  This will generate sales of the images to guests. 

This month's website is www.insidedigitalphoto.com.  This is a really neat site.  Inside Digital Photo presents a variety of radio and television programs geared towards digital photography enthusiasts and professionals. Inside Digital Photo content includes the latest news, in-depth interviews, product reviews, live event coverage, and tips featuring special guests representing the industry's best photography and imaging experts. This month's show is an interview with photographer Jim Zuckerman, and it is very interesting.  Many of you may recognize Jim's name from BetterPhoto.com.  I love this site myself.

Our June Contest Winners

The winners of our June contest, "Self Portrait" are listed below.  This was not your typical self portrait contest where entrants took shots of themselves, but rather, the idea was to get shots of things that would make somebody looking at the image say, "Oh yeah.  That's definitely so-and-so."  For example, somebody who is really into scuba diving could have taken a shot of fins, snorkle, diving mask, etc.  You get the idea.  Congratulations to all our winners.  Job well done. 

Color:

1st place:  "A Day at the Beach" by Nicolette Dunn

2nd place:  "An Apple A Day" by Judy Bruner

3rd place:  "My Favorites" by Nicolette Dunn

Honorable Mention:  "Coffee & Chocolate" by Judy Bruner

Black and White:

1st place:  "My Camera" by Nicolette Dunn

2nd place:  "Wine Time" by Nicolette Dunn

Photography Quote of the Month

When your mouth drops open, click the shutter.  ~ Harold Feinstein

That's it for the July edition of the Sweetwater Camera Club newsletter.  Happy Shooting!

Judy Bruner